Keyboard Entering text into a word processing document. Applications where text

has to be created rather than copied

Numeric keypad Applications where only numeric data is to be entered. Inserting personal

identification number (PIN) for Chip and PIN credit/debit cards, or when

using an ATM machine to withdraw money or check a bank balance

Pointing devices – all All applications which require selection from a graphical user interface. For

example: the selection of data from a set list or menu

Mouse In most PCs

Touch pad On laptop computers

Trackerball For use by people with limited motor skills e.g. young children or people

with disabilities

Remote control Using remote control devices to operate TVs, video players/recorders,

DVD players/recorders, satellite receivers, HiFi music systems, data or

multimedia projectors

Joystick Used by a pilot to fly an aeroplane or flight simulator. Used in car driving

simulators and for playing games

Touch screen Selecting from a limited list of options e.g. certain POS uses such as cafes,

tourist information kiosks, public transport enquiries

Magnetic stripe readers At POS terminals, ATMs and in security applications

Chip readers and PIN pads Payment cards, ID cards, door control systems, public transport tickets

Scanners Entering hard copy images into a computer

Digital cameras Taking photographs for input to computers, for input to photo printers

Microphones Recording of voices for presentation software

Temperature sensor Automatic washing machines, automatic cookers, central heating

controllers, computer-controlled greenhouses, scientific experiments

and environmental monitoring

Pressure sensor Burglar alarms, automatic washing machines, robotics, production line

control, scientific experiments and environmental monitoring

Light sensor Computer controlled greenhouses, burglar alarm systems, robotics,

production line control, scientific experiments and environmental

monitoring

Graphics tablet Inputting freehand drawings or retouch photographs

Optical Mark Reader Inputting pencil marks on a form such as a school register, candidate

exam answers, any application involving input of a choice of options

Optical Character Reader Inputting text to a computer ready for processing by another software

package such as word processors, spreadsheets, databases etc.

Bar code Reader Inputting code numbers from products at a POS terminal, library books

and membership numbers

Video camera Inputting moving pictures, often pre-recorded, into a computer

Web cam Inputting moving pictures from a fixed position into a computer

Light pen Where desktop space is limited, it is used instead of a mouse or for

drawing applications where a graphics tablet might be too big

CRT monitor Applications where space is not a problem. Applications where more than

one user may need to view screen simultaneously such as in design use,

e.g. when several designers may need to offer suggestions on a prototype

TFT monitor Applications where space is limited such as small offices. Applications

where only one person needs to view the screen such as individual

workstations

Multimedia Projector Applications such as training presentations, advertising presentations and

home cinema – it displays data from computers, pictures from televisions

and video/DVD recorders

Laser printer Applications which require low noise and low chemical emissions, e.g. most

networked systems. Applications which require rapid, high quality and high

volumes of output, e.g. most offices and schools

Inkjet printer Applications which require portability and low volume output, where

changing cartridges is not an issue e.g. small offices and stand alone

systems. Applications which require very high quality output and where

speed is not an issue, e.g. digital camera applications

Dot matrix printer Applications where noise is not an issue and copies have to be made, e.g.

industrial environments (multipart forms, continuous stationery, labels etc.),

car sales and repair companies, manufacturing sites

Graph plotter CAD applications, particularly where large printouts are required such as A0

Speakers Any application which requires sound to be output such as multimedia

presentations and websites including encyclopaedias. Applications that

require musical output such as playing of music CDs and DVD films

Motors Automatic washing machines, automatic cookers, central heating controllers,

computer-controlled greenhouses, microwave ovens, robotics, production

line control

Buzzers Automatic cookers, microwave ovens

Heaters Automatic washing machines, automatic cookers, central heating controllers,

computer-controlled greenhouses

Lights/lamps Computer-controlled greenhouses